NT Speke Hall

This National Volunteers' Week, we'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers.

We’re so proud to work alongside all our brilliant volunteers at Speke Hall, you bring the place to life from bee keeping to rose-tending and everything in between - the volunteers make Speke Hall the special place it is for all our visitors. We couldn’t do it without your support!

Thank you for everything you do, this week and every week. 💚

The house and collections team are always busy behind the scenes caring for and preserving Speke Hall for generations to come.

During the winter conservation, something mysterious and rather unexpected was discovered - proof that there are still stories waiting to be uncovered in the Hall!

Sara Wolvin, Collections & House Officer explains:

"In June 2023, while treating the Oak Parlour for a moth infestation, we sent the carpet offsite to be frozen. Once it was lifted, a surprise was waiting for us beneath it: tucked between the floorboards was a small piece of metal that no one recognised at first.

After some investigation during the winter closure, we discovered it was the long-missing minute hand from the Japanned long-case clock that lives upstairs in the west corridor. How it ended up in a completely different part of the house - and how long it had been gone - remains a mystery.

Clocks conservator Matthew Read took the fragment back to his studio to repair and restore. Now, in Spring 2026, almost three years after its rediscovery, the minute hand has finally been reunited with its clock, restoring the case to its full original appearance once again."

The images show the house team confirming the fragment is a match before the clock was reunited with its long-lost minute hand! See if you can spot it on your next visit to Speke Hall! 🕰️

Unleash your energy 23 May 2026

Are you looking for a family day out this May half-term?

From 23 May, set out on an adventure on our Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail.

Whether you’re new to the world of Pokémon, you’ve already got fans in your family, or you’d like to introduce the next generation, join us to step away from screens and get active outdoors.

Click here to find out more https://buff.ly/p3BDABj

The woodlands at Speke Hall, including the woodland play area, are temporarily closed due to wind gusts reaching the high winds policy threshold❗

The accessible gated play area and the maze remain open as usual.

The woodlands will reopen as soon as possible on Thursday following post-storm safety checks.

Thank you for your understanding.

🦔 It’s Hedgehog Awareness Week! 🦔

Here at Speke Hall we’re lucky to have a healthy population of hedgehogs across the estate. Our ranger team have carefully created a mosaic of habitats to make the grounds an ideal home for these prickly friends - supporting the release of rehabilitated hedgehogs and helping us study their behaviours in the wild.

Our Ranger, Cath, has also been working with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society who have kindly provided safety labels for all of our tools and equipment to help protect hedgehogs and hoglets while outdoor teams carry out essential conservation work.

Sadly, hedgehogs were added to the UK Red List as vulnerable to extinction in 2020, making this work more important than ever.

Did you know you can also get involved and make a difference? 🦔💚 Become a Hedgehog Hero by donating newspapers for use as bedding in hedgehog rehabilitation care.

Thank you for your support!

Every spring, the bluebells at Speke Hall transform the grounds into a sea of colour and this year, we’re celebrating these much-loved wild flowers with something special 💙

We’ve released a limited edition bluebell pin badge, designed by one of our wonderful team here at Speke Hall.

If you’d like to get your hands on one, you’ll need to be quick… once they’re gone, they’re gone! 🌿✨

It’s the final day of May Day celebrations 🌼

❗️Please be aware that Speke Hall is exceptionally busy today. Both the main car park and overflow car park are in use but are almost at capacity. We kindly ask all visitors driving to Speke Hall today to drive and park responsibly.

If you are visiting today, there are also a number of public transport routes available.

Keep an eye on our social media for updates and plan your visit here:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/speke-hall

May Day celebrations begin tomorrow at Speke Hall and continue through to Bank Holiday Monday! ☀️

Traditional activities will take place across the weekend, including archery sessions from White Dragon Archery, living history with House of the Black Star, and lively performances from James the Jester from Chester. Flower crown making will also be available with RHS Chelsea Gold winners Louise and Deb Floral Design. 🌸🏹

There will be performances from Mersey Morris on Saturday and Galliard Folk Dancers on Sunday.

There’s plenty happening throughout the weekend - a chance to get involved, try something new, or simply spend time outdoors. Make lasting family memories this May Day 🌿

Find out more about May Day and what’s on at Speke Hall this spring and summer here:

https://theguideliverpool.com/theres-so-much-to-do-at-speke-hall-this-spring-summer/

Bluebells at Speke Hall 💙

The bluebells are at their best right now and it's the perfect time to see them. You’ll find some of the finest displays in The Clough woodland. 🌲

To help care for these protected flowers, we kindly ask that visitors keep to the paths when walking and taking photos. Stepping on bluebells can damage them and prevent them from returning next year - we want to look after them for generations to come.

The gardens and grounds at Speke Hall are filled with colour and history, and there are plenty of spots to relax and feel close to nature this spring.